Met urges Londoners to hand in illegal firearms

Londoners are being urged to take any illegal, unlicensed or antique firearms or ammunition to their local police station for safe disposal.

The plea comes ahead of a two week a two-week ‘surrender’ scheme being launched by the Metropolitan Police Service next week aimed at reducing the number of firearms in the capital.

The surrender will start at 07:00 hours on 10 November until 23:00 hours on 23 November.

Police say those handing in weapons may not face prosecution, but stress that each weapon will be forensically checked for evidence.

Detective Chief Superintendent Dean Haydon, Head of Trident Gang Crime Command, said: “In recent years we have seen significant reductions in gun crime offences – financial year 2013/14 was the lowest annual total in six years.

“Trident and firearms officers every day across London have contributed to these reductions, and last year 300 firearms were seized as a result of proactive operations.

“However we are not complacent, our primary aim is keeping Londoners safe, and we recognise the considerable and devastating impact of gun crime on those affected by it.

“The surrender provides an opportunity to significantly reduce the number of firearms in circulation on the streets of London.”

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